Downhole flow control devices

ABSTRACT

Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems.  
     The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/014,518 and No. 60/014,644 filed Apr. 1, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to oil well technology. More particularly,the invention relates to a downhole fluid flow and pressure equalizationcontrol and choke devices.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Flow control has been a concern of the oil drilling industrysince the first well produced a gusher like that of spindle top in Texason Jan. 10, 1901. Initially, flow control was focused upon surface basedapparati, however, as technology advanced and multiple productionzone/multiple production fluid wells grew in popularity, flow controldownhole has become increasingly important.

[0006] One particular prior art device which has been very effective isthe CM sliding sleeve commercially available from Baker Oil Tools, 6023Navigation Boulevard, Houston Tex. 77011. The sleeve employs one outerhousing with slots and one inner housing with slots. The slots arealignable and misalignable with axial movement of the inner housingrelative to the outer housing. The tool is effective for its intendedpurpose but does not provide any selectivity regarding where on thecircumference flow is desired. Other valving and choking devices arealso available in the prior art but there is still a need for moreefficient devices and specific devices to function where others have notproved effective. Moreover, devices which function with less or no inputfrom the surface are also likely to have a significant positive impacton the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of theprior art are overcome or alleviated by the downhole flow controldevices of the invention.

[0008] In connection with all of the following embodiments and subembodiments of the invention it will be understood that these include(although could be employed without) downhole electronics includingprocessors, sensors, etc., in the downhole environment which performdecision making tasks based upon input from sensors and or frompreprogramming and or from surface input. These intelligent systems aremore fully discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,042 which is assigned toBaker Hughes Incorporated who is the assignee hereof. The entirecontents of U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,042 is incorporated hereby by reference.

[0009] In the first embodiment of the invention a cylindrical toolhaving a plurality or multiplicity of individual valve bodies isprovided. The valve bodies are individually activatable to meter flowcircumferentially around the tool. Among the individual valve bodies,three subembodiments are most preferred. In the first subembodiment eachindividual valve is arranged to be rotationally adjustable; in thesecond subembodiment, which is of very similar appearance to the first,the valve is arranged to be adjustable to be longitudinally slidable;and the third subembodiment provides a conical/cylindrical spear valveand a conical/cylindrical mating structure which allows fluid to flowwhen the spear is not fully urged into the cone.

[0010] With all of the subembodiments of the first embodiment of theinvention, metered control is possible as well as circumferentialcontrol. It will be understood that among the valve bodies, differingsubembodiments may be assembled within one tool.

[0011] Actuation of the valve bodies of any of the subembodiments maybeby way of electric motor, hydraulic or pneumatic pressurized flow orotherwise. Another feature of the invention is a downhole electronicspackage that allows for the downhole decision making sensing andpowering of the downhole tools of the invention.

[0012] In a second embodiment of the invention, a toroidalinflatable/deflatable bladder is disclosed which provides a centrallylocated orifice through which fluid may flow when the bladder is notfully inflated thus occluding the orifice. An advantage of the device isthat it is very versatile and is capable of a great many closing andopening cycles in varying degrees without failure.

[0013] In a third embodiment of the invention a dependent sleeve chokemechanism is disclosed. The tool includes inner and outer sleeves whichare disposed one on either of the inner and outer diameter of thehousing of the tool. The inner and outer sleeves are fixedly connectedto one another such that the sleeves move in tandem to conceal or revealopenings in the housing through which fluid may flow. Actuation may beby electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor and a gear train or can be byconventional shifting tools. Position sensors are preferably employed toprovide information regarding the position of the sleeve. Other sensorsas disclosed in Baker Oil Tools U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,042 issued Jan. 28,1997 which is assigned to the assignee hereof and incorporated herein byreference.

[0014] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, similar to the thirdembodiment, an independent sleeve choke mechanism is disclosed. In theindependent mechanism, the inner and outer sleeves are not connected toone another and may be actuated independently of one another. Actuationmay be by a single motor, solenoid switchable to the desired gear trainor may be two motors independent of one another. The sensing orprocessing as discussed above are applicable to this embodiment as well.

[0015] In general, with respect to the above, position sensors such aslinear potentiometers, linear voltage displacement transducers (LVDT)resolvers or a synchro is employed to determine position of either thedependent or independent sleeve choke devices. Moreover, in both thethird and fourth embodiments, shear out mechanisms are provided in theevent of failure of the powered actuation system so that the tool may beconventionally actuated with for example a shifting tool.

[0016] In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a nose seal chokemechanism is disclosed. The nose seal choke mechanism includes amoveable sleeve on the inside of a ported housing which regulates flowby obstructing the amount of port area open to flow. Flow is restrictedby the unique stepped out nose on the inner sleeve. The mechanismprovides an advantage by shielding seals from flow through the device.This is beneficial because it prevents seals being washed out or flowcut during operation of the choke mechanism. The device is actuatable bypowered means or, if such means fail, by conventional means aftershearing. This device also provides a dual backup operation by adding asecond shear out mechanism and a second flow control.

[0017] A sixth embodiment of the invention is a helical key chokemechanism. This device includes helical grooves around the O.D. of aported housing and keys set within the grooves that are moveable basedupon the movement of a sleeve which is attached to the keys eitherdirectly or through an intermediary. By moving the keys into the helicalflow path, flow is restricted; by moving the keys out of the flow path,flow can be increased. Preferably there are a total of four keys used sothat the flow area is maximized through the annular area while stillpromoting accurate and substantial control of fluid. The inner sleeve,to which the keys are operably attached, is actuated by motors ofelectrical, hydraulic or pneumatic modes of operation or conventionallyafter shear out of the shear release sleeve.

[0018] In a seventh embodiment of the invention, a spiral chokemechanism is disclosed which enlarges or restricts port openings in aported housing by rotation of a spiral choke device. Rotation of thechoke device changes the throat opening between the ported housing andthe port in the spiral choke. This enables reliable metering of the flowfrom the well annulus to the tubing string. Sensors are used todetermine the position of the metering spiral choke device. Actuatorsfor the device are similar to those discussed above, and a shear outstructure is supplied for removing the powered actuator from contactwith the choke device. In this embodiment the shifted operation is a onetime permanent closure operation.

[0019] An eighth embodiment of the invention is an orifice chokemechanism wherein a moveable sleeve inside an orifice housing having aplurality of hard material orifices regulates fluid flow by obstructingnumber of orifices open to flow. In this embodiment the entry of theorifices is square edged to provide a pressure drop. The device ispreferably actuated by a motor and gear train assembly which includesspur gears and a drive screw. A shear out mechanism is incorporated toallow the sleeve to be conventionally actuated in the event that thepowered actuators should fail.

[0020] The above-discussed and other features and advantages of thepresent invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numberedalike in the several FIGURES:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a cross section view of the multiple valve body flowcontrol device of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a transverse section of an individual rotary valve bodystructure of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a transverse section of an individual sliding valve bodystructure of the invention;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a transverse section of an individualconical/cylindrical valve body structure of the invention; and

[0026]FIG. 5 is a side view of the tool of the invention illustratingthe windows in the outer sleeve and the valves visible through thewindows;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a side view of the invention with the windowsillustrated in a staggered pattern;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a side view of a pressure controlled valve in accordancewith the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 8 is an end view of the pressure controlled valve shown inFIG. 1;

[0030] FIGS. 9-16 are an illusion of a third embodiment of the inventionwherein an inner and outer choke sleeves are attached to one another;

[0031]FIG. 9A is a cross-section view taken along section lines 9A-9A inFIG. 9;

[0032]FIG. 11A is a cross-section view taken along section lines 11A-11Ain FIG. 11;

[0033]FIG. 11B is a cross-section view taken along section lines 11B-11Bin FIG. 11;

[0034]FIG. 11C is a cross-section view taken along section lines 11C-11Cin FIG. 11A;

[0035]FIG. 11D is a cross-section view taken along section lines 11D-11Din FIG. 11A;

[0036] FIGS. 17-21 represent a fourth embodiment of the inventionwherein an inner and outer sleeves are not attached to one another;

[0037]FIG. 17A is a cross-section view taken along section lines 17A-17Ain FIG. 17;

[0038]FIG. 17B is a cross-section view taken along section lines 17B-17Bin FIG. 17;

[0039]FIG. 17C is a cross-section view taken along section lines 17C-17Cin FIG. 17;

[0040]FIG. 17D is a cross-section view taken along section lines 17D-17Din FIG. 17A;

[0041]FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of the drive mechanism ofthe fourth embodiment of this invention;

[0042] FIGS. 23-27 represent a fifth embodiment of the invention whereina nose seal choke mechanism is illustrated;

[0043] FIGS. 28-34 illustrate a helical key choke mechanism of theinvention;

[0044]FIG. 31A is a cross-section view of the invention depicted inFIGS. 28-34 taken along section lines of the same number, lettercombination;

[0045]FIG. 35 is a plan view of the helical grooves and keys of theinvention depicted in FIGS. 28-34 the pipe having been separated andlaid flat;

[0046]FIG. 36 is a perspective view at the same section of the inventionof FIGS. 28-34;

[0047] FIGS. 37-41 depict an elongated view of a spiral choke embodimentof the invention;

[0048]FIG. 39A is a cross-section of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.37-41 taken along section lines of the same number, letter combination;

[0049] FIGS. 42-46 illustrate an elongated view of another embodiment ofthe invention providing an orifice choke mechanism; and

[0050]FIG. 45A is a cross-section view of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 42-46 taken along section lines bearing same number, lettercombination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatthe tool comprises outer housing 10 having a plurality or multiplicityof valve body bores 12 (could also be a single valve body bore ifdesired) which bores 12 are arranged preferably annularly around aninner sleeve 14 and an axial void 16. Brief reference to FIGS. 5 and 6will put the tool in perspective for those of skill in the art. It willbe appreciated that FIGS. 5 and 6 are examples of locations and patternsfor windows and that other patterns and locations are possible and arewithin the scope of this invention.

[0052] The individual valve bodies 18, discussed more fully hereunder as18 a, 18 b and 18 c, are operated together, individually, or in selectedsubgroups to access and flow desired fluid from desired regions within azone. The actuation of the valve bodies may be by electric motor(whether regular or a stepper motor), hydraulic or pneumatic systems,solenoid systems whether a single solenoid is employed for all of thevalves or each valve has its own solenoid, etc. power can be supplied byan uphole or surface source or a downhole source and may be batteries,capacitors, TEC wire, etc. Complexity of the system desired will dictatewhether all of the bodies 18 be actuated at once with a single actuatoror if individual or groups be actuated which will require additionalactuating systems or at least bridging systems within the tool. Multiplesystems may be staggered to provide sufficient room within the tool.

[0053] Decision making with regard to openness of a particular body 18or group if the same may be made downhole employing downholeintelligence technology like that disclosed in Baker Oil Tools U.S. Pat.No. 5,597,042 issued Jan. 28, 1997 previously incorporated herein byreference. {fraction (1/4)} inch TEC cable is a preferable conductoralthough any conductor may be employed to conduct signals and power tothe actuators from a downhole intelligence system or from the surface.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2-4 the embodiments of the individual valvebodies are illustrated. In FIG. 2, the bore 12 is the shallowest of theembodiments since no longitudinal movement of valve body 18 a isnecessary. Rather, in this embodiment the body 18 a is in the form of apetcock having a fluid aperture 20 which is alignable or misalignable toa varying degree with external window 22 leading to the downholeenvironment and internal window 24 leading to the axial void 16 of thetool. The alignment of the petcock body 18 a is accomplished by rotatingbody 18 a through stem 26 thereof. O-rings 30 are positioned on eitherside of the aperture 20 to seal the apparatus.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, slide body 18 b is illustrated. Bore 12 isdeeper in this embodiment due to the need for misalignment of windows 22and 24 with aperture 21 via longitudinal movement of valve body 18 b.O-rings 30 are provided to seal the structure. Alignment of windows 22and 24 with aperture 21 is accomplished to a varying degree by movementof body 18 b through stem 26.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 4, another longitudinally actuated valvebody is described. Cone valve 18 c is essentially a frustocone with acylindrical extension which mates with a similarly shaped bore 12.Metered flow is accomplished by the degree to which the valve body isurged into the conical/cylindrical bore 12. Windows 22 and 24 arereplaced in this embodiment with staggered external opening 32 andinternal opening 34. A fluid aperture 21 is not necessary in thisembodiment. O-rings 30 are provided to seal the structure. The scope ofthe frustoconical/cylindrical embodiment of body 18 c is importantbecause it allows for very precise metering of the fluid flowingtherethrough.

[0057] The multiple valve body tool of the invention providessignificant latitude in construction and selectivity in flow and is,therefore, valuable to the industry.

[0058] In a second embodiment of the invention, referring to FIGS. 7 and8, a fluid pressure actuated bladder valve is disclosed. The bladder ofthe invention is positionable in a section of pipe such that an outerdiameter thereof is firmly attached to the inner diameter of the pipeand the inner orifice of the bladder is open or closed depending uponthe amount of pressure inside the bladder relative to ambient pressurein the vicinity of the bladder. FIG. 7 is a side view of a pressurecontrolled valve of the present invention. A toroidal shaped bladder 44is positioned in the inside of a pipe 40. The bladder 44 may be bondedto the inside of the pipe 40 using an adhesive or any other suitableattachment arrangement which includes but is not limited to a mechanicalattachment magnetic element inside the bladder which then pinches thewall of the bladder between the magnetic element and the pipe in whichthe bladder is positioned. Alternatively, the bladder 44 may be simplypositioned in the pipe 40 and maintained in the desired position byfriction caused by pressure internal to the bladder. The bladder 44 hasan orifice 42 which allows fluid flow through pipe 40 when the bladderis not inflated. The bladder 44 is preferably made of an elasticmaterial which can be inflated and deflated repeatedly withoutstructural degradation. Pressurization and depressurization of thebladder of the invention is effected through a control line 46 whichpreferably passes through pipe 40 and extends into the interior ofbladder 44. Control line 46 is in sealed communication with bladder. Thecontrol line 46 controls the pressure within the bladder and can inflateor deflate the bladder 44 through hydraulic, pneumatic or other pressuresources.

[0059] When inflated, bladder 44 will expand. Since expansion radiallyoutwardly is inhibited by the pipe in which the bladder is located, theexpansion is limited to radially inward and longitudinal. Since theradial inward expansion requires less energy, the bladder tends to closeoff orifice 42, thus sealing the pipe 40. Desired flow through the pipe40 can be achieved through applying a determined amount of fluidpressure to the bladder 44.

[0060]FIG. 8 is an end view of the pipe 40 shown in FIG. 7 including thepressure controlled valve positioned inside of the pipe 40. As notedabove, the centrally located orifice 42 may be opened or closed bydeflating or inflating the bladder 44 to control flow through the pipe40.

[0061] The pressure controlled valve of the present invention includes asingle moving part, namely bladder 44, which is made from an elasticmaterial. Therefore, the pressure controlled valve can withstandnumerous cycles of opening and closing without failure. This featuremakes the pressure controlled valve ideal for applications such asdownhole flow control and other applications, where ambient conditionsare adverse and valve maintenance or replacement is difficult.

[0062] The pressure controlled valve may be controlled from the surfaceof the well or through downhole intelligence located within the well. Arepresentative downhole intelligent control is schematically illustratedin FIG. 7 but it will be appreciated that the invention is also capablewithout the intelligent systems illustrated. Downhole intelligence,intelligent sensor arrangements, (e.g., position sensors, pressuresensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and communications for communicatingto a downhole or surface microprocessor via any conventionalcommunication device or media such as telemetry devices, wireline, TECwire, cable, etc., are beneficial to the operation of theabove-described valve. Moreover, the downhole intelligence systemsdescribed in U.S. Ser. No. 08/385,992 filed Feb. 9, 1995 by Baker OilTools and previously incorporated herein by reference are desirable tomonitor conditions including the status of the pressured controlledvalve and initiate and execute commands. By monitoring conditionsdownhole, metered adjustments of the pressure controlled valve canbemade to boost efficiency and production of any given well. This type ofdownhole intelligence is employable and desirable in connection with allof the embodiments disclosed herein and while only some of theembodiments contain direct reference to intelligent systems and controlsit will be understood that these can be for all of the embodiments.

[0063] In a third embodiment of the invention, referring to FIGS. 9-16 adependent sleeve choke mechanism includes a ported housing 60 which isflanked on its inner diameter by inner sleeve 62 and on its outerdiameter by choke sleeve 64. Sleeves 62 and 64 are attached to oneanother by retaining key 66 such that a single actuator may be employedto move both inner sleeve and choke sleeve to full open positions orchoked positions or anywhere in between. As one of skill in the art willunderstand, the precise actuator employed may be electric, pneumatic,hydraulic, combustion motor or otherwise. The most preferred embodiment,however, is illustrated in FIGS. 9-16 and employs an electric motor 70which translates force through a gear train located in and supported bya gear body 102 and spur gear body 77 comprising spur gear 72 in contactwith the motor 70, which drives drive shaft 76 transmitting forceefficiently which in turn, meshes via spur gear 108, 110 profiles withdrive screw 78. Drive screw 78 provides a screw thread on the I.D.thereof which is complimentary to an O.D. thread on the uphole end ofdrive sleeve 80. Drive sleeve 80 provides linear force to inner sleeve62 via dog 116. In order to assist the gear train in transmitting forceefficiently, there are provided several bearings 82 throughout the geartrain. Further, and to increase the ability of drive screw 78 to impartdriving force upon drive sleeve 80, thrust bearings 84 are provided.Thrust bearings 84 are retained by thrust bearing retainers 86 which arehoused along with drive shaft 76 within gear housing 88. The gear trainis maintained within gear housing 88 which is connected to more downholecomponents of the tool via a splined connection 89 and a retaining nut90. A seal 87 prevents undesired fluid passage at the uphole end, gearhousing 88 is connected to motor housing 94 by double metal to metalseal thread 92. These connections provide an environment for operationof the gear train. The environment is most preferably filled withpressure compensated dielectric fluid. Beyond the motor housing 94 inthe, uphole direction, motor housing 94 is connected to electronicshousing 96. Electronics housing 96 defines an atmospheric chamber 98which houses the downhole electronics processors and power sources orpower couplers associated with the choke of the invention. It should benoted that all of the chokes of the invention employ similar electronicspackages and similar housings. These elements are, therefore, notdiscussed in detail with respect to each embodiment. It will be notedthat in order to prevent wellbore fluids from entering the motor area, aseal 104 is maintained in place by a snap ring 106.

[0064] Referring back to the gear train, more detail is provided. At thedownhole end of drive shaft 76, the shaft is endowed with a spur geararrangement 108 which engages an O.D. spur gear 110 on drive screw 78.On the I.D. of drive screw 78, which is not readily visible from thedrawing, however will be understood by one or ordinary skill in the art,is a threaded arrangement 112 which meshes with an O.D. thread 114 ondrive sleeve 80. Drive sleeve 80 is connected to inner sleeve 62 by dogs116 so that linear movement of drive sleeve 80 is directly translated toinner sleeve 62 and consequently translated through key 66 to chokesleeve 64. It should be noted that choke sleeve 64 includes at itsuphole end, a cover 118 whose purpose it is to avoid the entry ofwellbore debris into the area in which key 66 slides. Were the debris toenter the area, the key may not slide as intended and the tool wouldneed to be repaired. As can be ascertained from the drawing FIG. 15, theport 120 in ported housing 60 can be exposed or closed off by themovement above described.

[0065] Seals 74 provide closure of port 122 from port 120 of the porthousing 60 providing complete separation of annulus fluid from tubingfluid when the inner sleeve 62 is placed in the downward position. Seals74 are on the same axial diameter to reduce the net force caused bydifferential piston areas to zero differential.

[0066] It should be noted that port 122 of the inner sleeve aligns withport 120 of the ported housing 60, thus rendering that part of thedevice fully open, prior to the choke sleeve 64 pulling upholesufficiently to clear port 120 from port housing 60. This is due toextra length on the downhole end of sleeve 64. This is an importantfeature of the invention since when choke sleeve 64 is placed in thechoke position the inner sleeve 62 is more fully open. By providingalignment of port 120 and port 122 flow cutting of the inner sleeve isprevented. Secondly, with the choke sleeve 64 extended in the mannerdescribed, erosional wear caused by flowing in the choked position doesnot immediately effect the function of the device such that the innersleeve would be damaged by the choke sleeve not functioning as intended.In other words, the extended portion of the choke sleeve 64 provides forextended life of the tool by the effective extra length thereof.Moreover, in order to avoid erosional wear of the choke sleeve, a hardwear resistant material such as tungsten carbide is either applied as acoating to sleeve 64 or actually makes up all or a part of sleeve 64.

[0067] At the downhole end of choke sleeve 64 in the closed position, itis abutted against lower sub upset 124 which provides both a downholestop for the choke sleeve 64 and, furthermore, is slightly wider inoutside diameter to protect the choke sleeve 64 from damage during runin.

[0068] It should be noted that the motor housing is offset from thesleeve to accommodate the motor, gear train, electronics andcompensation system while minimizing the O.D. of the tool.

[0069] In the most preferred dependent sleeve embodiment, a positionsensor such as a linear potentiometer, linear voltage displacementtransducer (LVDT), resolver or synchro is employed. 110 The exactlocation of the position sensor is not illustrated but can be anywherealong which linear movement is experienced or where rotary movement isexperienced in the event that a rotary position sensor is employed.

[0070] In this as well as the other embodiments of this invention, themotor and gear train are protected by a pressure compensated dielectricfluid. Referring to FIGS. 11C and 11D, two alternative pressurecompensators are illustrated. Both compensator designs are intended toseparate well fluid from the dielectric fluid with a moveable member toallow pressure to change within the dielectric fluid in response to achange in pressure of the surrounding fluid. In FIG. 11C, thecompensator is a piston 101 mounted moveably in a cylinder 103 cut inmotor housing 94. The location of the compensator cylinder is notcritical and is shown, for example, in FIG. 11A. Cylinder 103 is open totubing pressure through port 105 and is open to the dielectric fluid atthe opposite end of the cylinder. The piston includes conventional partssuch as a piston body and cap and nonelastomeric seals.

[0071] In the alternative embodiment, a bellows 107 is employed to dothe same job as piston 101. The bellows embodiment provides theadvantage of eliminating piston seals and increasing responsiveness topressure changes however suffers the disadvantage increasing tool lengthdue to short throw. The metal bellows is commercially available fromSenior Aexonics.

[0072] The choke system of the invention provides for backupconventional shifting tool actuation in the event of the actuator of theinvention failing. Referring to FIG. 13, and back to dogs 116, the drivesleeve 80 maybe disconnected from inner sleeve 62 by shifting shear outsleeve 126 uphole through use of a conventional shifting tool actingupon shear out shoulder 138 (see FIG. 13). Upon engaging a shear outshoulder 138, shear out sleeve 126 is provided with sufficient shearstress to entice shear screw 132 to fail thus allowing shear sleeve 126to slide uphole until the shoulder 134 impacts the downhole end of 136of shifting sleeve 130. Upon the moving uphole of shear sleeve 126, dog116 will move radially inwardly onto the downhole end 140 of shearsleeve 126 so that dog 116 is no longer in communication with drivesleeve 80. The shear out sleeve 126 when reaching its uphole extent, asdiscussed above, allows snap ring 142 to snap radially outwardly intoring groove 144 to prevent any additional relative movement betweensleeve 126 and sleeve 62. By preventing such relative movement, the dogis prevented from reengaging with drive sleeve 80 due to other welloperations.

[0073] At this point, a shifting tool of a conventional nature will beemployable upon shifting profile 128 to actuate inner sleeve 62 and(through key 66), choke sleeve 64 in the uphole direction. Moving thesleeves in the uphole direction, as noted previously, will open thedevice. By employing the shifting profile 146 at the downhole extent ofinner sleeve 62, sleeve 62 and sleeve 64 may be shifted to the closedposition. When operating the tool in the closing process on shiftingprofile 146, the well operator can be assured that a tool will not bedriven beyond its proper orientation by stop shoulder 148 which is partof the ported housing 60.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 17-22, an independent sleeve choke mechanismis disclosed wherein two independent movable sleeves are located oneither side of the ported housing. The ported housing is similar to thatdisclosed with respect to the dependent sleeve choke mechanism describedhereinabove and allows fluid to flow through the port depending uponpositions of a choke sleeve and an inner sleeve. As in the foregoingembodiment, a choke sleeve includes a hard material either applied tothe exterior of the sleeve or comprises part of all of the sleeveitself.

[0075] Beginning from the downhole end of the tool and referringdirectly to FIGS. 20 and 21, lower sub 200 extends upwardly to join withported housing 202 at threaded connection 204 and includes seal 207.Lower sub 200 further includes a radially enlarged section 208 having ashoulder 206 which acts as a downstop for choke sleeve 210. Choke sleeve210 is actuatable in a linear manner to conceal and reveal port 212,imported housing 202. As one of skill in the art will undoubtedlyunderstand, port 212 is most preferably a plurality of ports arrangedcircumferentially about the invention. It is within the scope of theinvention to have as few as one port. Choke sleeve 210 is protected bychoke cover 214 which is non-moveable and is anchored to keys 216 whichextend from choke cover 214 to choke connector sleeve 218. Choke sleeve210 includes a groove 220 which allows it to slide longitudinally pastkeys 216. In other words, keys 216 ride within groove 220 and preventsrotational movement of sleeve 210. Rotational movement must be preventedin sleeve 210 since the actuation mechanism which provides thelongitudinal movement of choke sleeve 210 is provided by a drive screwwhich without being prevented from allowing rotational movement, wouldmerely rotate the choke sleeve as opposed to driving it longitudinally.Keys 216 also carry tension from above the tool to below by transferringthe load from choke cover 214 through keys 216 to choke connector sleeve218. More particularly, and referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, choke sleeve210 continues uphole past shoulder 222 to an uphole end thereof havingO.D. threads 224 complimentary to I.D. threads 226 on choke drive screw228. Choke drive screw 228 is driven by choke drive shaft 230 havingspur gear teeth 232 at the downhole end thereof. It will be noted by oneof ordinary skill in the art that bearings 234 are positioned at thedownhole end of the choke drive shaft 230 to provide for support of thedrive shaft 230 and avoid drag.

[0076] An important feature of the invention includes thrust bearings236 located on either side of choke drive screw 228. Thrust bearings 236provide for more smooth power transfer from drive shaft 230 to chokesleeve 210. Better power transition allows for the use of a smaller andless costly motor. Drive shaft 230 extends uphole to its terminus atspur gear 240. Drive shaft 230 is supported at its uphole end, similarto its downhole end, by bearings 234. Drive shaft 230 is driven by amotor illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17D as numeral 244 through the actionof solenoid 242 which selectively engages one of the idler gears 278 inorder to drive either choke drive shaft 230 or the inner sleeve drivecomponents 272. Referring back to FIGS. 20 and 21 and a downhole end ofthe tool of the invention, inner sleeve 250 extends longitudinally andexists radially inwardly of port 212. Inner sleeve 250 further includesport 252 which is alienable or misalignable with port 12 as desired.Inner sleeve 250 includes shifting profiles 254 and 256 for conventionalshifting of the sleeve in the event of a drive system failure. Shouldsuch failure occur, the shear screw 258 need merely be sheared by atensile force exerted on, for example, profile 254. Once shear screw 258has sheared, the drive system is disconnected from sleeve 250 and it canbe normally shifted with a conventional shifting tool.

[0077] Providing the drive system has not failed, shear screw 258remains intact and securely binds sleeve 250 to drive sleeve 260 whichmoves longitudinally up and downhole, pursuant to the movements of anactuator system more thoroughly discussed below. Longitudinal movementof inner sleeve drive sleeve 260 is limited by shoulder 262, at theuphole end thereof, impacting against stop 264 located on chokeconnector sleeve 218 and is bounded at the downhole end thereof bysleeve end surface 266 which abuts shoulder 269 when the sleeve 250 isat its downhole most position. Snap ring 268 maintains seal 270 in thedesired position. Inner sleeve drive sleeve 260 extends uphole to athreaded engagement 274 with inner sleeve drive screw 272. It should benoted that preferably inner sleeve drive screw 272 is a spur geararrangement on its O.D. surface and a threaded arrangement on its innersurface. The threads mate to O.D. threads on the inner sleeve drivesleeve 260. Thrust bearings 276 are provided on either side of innersleeve drive screw 272 to more efficiently transfer power to drivesleeve 260. This is obtained by reduced friction due to thrust bearings.Several idler gears are provided in the drive system one of which isvisible in FIG. 17 and is indicated as numeral 278.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 22, a schematic perspective view of the drivesystem of the invention will provide a better understanding to those ofskill in the art regarding how the system is driven. Idler gears areindicated collectively as 278 The solenoid is identified by numeral 242with solenoid gear 279, and the drive motor is 244. The inner sleevedrive screw 272 is closer to the motor arrangement and choke drive screw228 is further away. Choke drive shaft 230 is also illustrated. Theinner sleeve drive gear is illustrated as 280. FIG. 22 in conjunctionwith the foregoing and FIGS. 17-21 provide the skilled artisan with anexcellent understanding of the invention.

[0079] The solenoid of the invention operates in a manner very similarto that of an automobile solenoid and moves to engage one drive gear 280or in order to drive the inner sleeve 272 or the choke sleeve 228 in thegear train described and illustrated.

[0080] Power is fed to the solenoid and motor through the motor housing282 by conduit 284 which houses connector 281 such as a Kemlonconnector, known to the art, said conduit leading to electronics housingarea 286 which is hermetically sealed by electronics housing cover 288threadedly connected at 290 to motor housing 282 and includes seal 292to prevent wellbore fluids from contaminating the electronics which mayinclude downhole processors, sensors and power sources. As discussedearlier, power may come from the surface or from downhole sources.

[0081] As in the previous embodiment, the motor and solenoid are mostpreferably surrounded in pressure compensated dielectric fluid. Thepressure compensation device are as was discussed previously. The fluidin this embodiment exists in area 294 and is sealed from surroundingfluids by seal 296 held in place by snap ring 298.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 23-27, a seal nose sleeve choke mechanism ofthe invention is disclosed. The device employs a dual operation conceptwhich allows for increased longevity in the useful life of the tool.Beginning at the downhole end of the tool in FIG. 27, a lower sub 300 isthreadedly connected to a ported housing 302. It should be noted thatthe lower sub contains a stop shoulder 304 which is employed only in theevent of an electronics or motor drive failure or other failure in theseal nose of the device. More specifically, Dog retaining sleeve 306will abut against shoulder 304 in the event the shear release of theinvention is employed. In the event of a failure requiring the shearrelease to be employed, snap ring 308 is provided which will lock intogroove 310 of ported housing 302 to maintain dog retaining sleeve 306 inthe downhole position should such mechanical operation be required. Thedog retaining sleeve 306 is threadedly connected to downstop 312 whichcommunicates with inner sleeve 314. It should be noted that in normaloperation, dog retaining sleeve 306 is fixedly connected to portedhousing 302 via dog 316 to prevent relative movement between the twosleeves. Providing electronic and/or automatic operation of the chokemechanism of the invention is functioning properly, no relative movementbetween the dog retaining sleeve 306 and ported housing 302 is necessaryor desirable.

[0083] It should be noted that the shear out sleeve 318 is exactly thesame as the shear out sleeve discussed previously and, therefore, willnot be discussed in detail here other than to list numerically the partsthereof. Sleeve 318 includes snap ring 320 and snap ring groove 322 aswell as a set slot 324 which enables a technician or machine duringassembly of the tool to press snap ring 320 into the sleeve 318. Shearscrew 326, (obviously most preferably a plurality of shear screws 326)maintains the shear out sleeve 318 in the engaged position until ashifting tool is brought to bear against shifting profile 328 wherebyshear screw 326 is sheared and the shear sleeve 318 is shifted uphole torelease dog 316.

[0084] Moving uphole into FIG. 25, and in the normal (not shearreleased) operation of the tool, ported housing 302 includes seal 330and defuser ring 332 which operate the seal fluid flow through port 334and prevent seepage during periods when such flow is not desired.

[0085] Inner sleeve 314 includes nose 336 which extends into annulargroove 340 of downstop 312. This provides a metal to metal seal to chokeoff flow through port 334. It should also be noted that in order toreduce the chances of washout of seals 330 or flow cutting thereof,annular recess 338 is provided in nose 336. This allows for a reducedflow rate during opening of inner sleeve 314 to reduce wear on seal 330.Inner sleeve 314 further includes port 342 which is employed in theevent of loss of nose 336 or a failure of the actuation mechanism. Thiswill be discussed in more detail hereunder. Inner sleeve 314 extendsuphole and is illustrated as joined in a threaded connection to upperinner sleeve 352 which provides shifting profiles 354 and 356 for upholeshifting and downhole shifting, respectively in the event of acatastrophic occurrence with respect to the inner sleeve itself or theactuation mechanism. Lower sleeve 314 and upper sleeve 352 incombination are secured to drive sleeve 360 by dogs 362 which aremaintained in the engaged position by shear out sleeve 364. This shearout sleeve is identical to that described earlier and a balance of theoperative elements of shear out sleeve 364 are numeraled identically toshear out sleeve 318. Thus, shear out sleeve 364 includes snap ring 320,groove 322, set slot 324 and shear screw 326 as well as shifting profile328. Drive sleeve 360 is threaded on its O.D. at at least the upholemost portion thereof wherein drive sleeve 360 is engaged with a drivescrew 366. In order to transfer power more effectively, thrust bearings368 are employed and are maintained in their desired positions bybearing retainers 370. Drive force is transferred to drive screw 366through drive shaft 372 which is supported at its downhole end bybearings 374 and includes a spur gear arrangement 376 at the downholeend thereof which is complimentary to a spur gear arrangement on theO.D. of drive screw 366. From drive shaft 372 uphole, the nose sealdrive mechanism is identical to the dependent sleeve choke mechanism andtherefore, is not illustrated or described in detail at this point.

[0086] In operation, the nose seal choke mechanism provides severalmodes of operation. Initially and preferentially, the electronicshousing (not shown) includes downhole processors and power conduits orpower supplies to determine through preprogrammed instructions or basedupon input from sensors such as linear potentiometers, linear voltagedisplay transducers, resolvers or synchros as well as flow sensors,pressure sensors, temperature sensors and other sensors downhole whetherthe flow should be increased or decreased. Upon such determination, theelectronics of the device will cause the motor to turn the drive shaftin the desired direction to either move the nose seal uphole or downholethus opening or closing ports 334 to the desired extent. Since nose 336is either composed of or coated with a hard substance such as tungstencarbide, longevity of the nose should be substantial. However, in theevent that the nose should become dislodged or worn away, the shear outsleeves 364 and 318 can be sheared as described above by a conventionalshearing tool to allow the downstop and dog retainers sleeves to slidedownhole thereby allowing the inner sleeve to slide downhole exposingpreviously unused port 342 to port 334. After such occurrence the innersleeve 314 canbe actuated mechanically in a conventional manner with ashifting tool bearing on shifting profiles 354 or 356 to align ormisalign port 342 or port 334 to varying degrees.

[0087] In another mode of operation, only shear out sleeve 364 would beremoved which would disconnect a malfunctioning motor drive system fromthe inner sleeve and allow the shifting tool to operate the nose seal inthe originally intended manner. This allows the operator of the well toshift the nose seal choke mechanism mechanically with a shifting toolfor an extended period of time even after failure of the drive actuationsystem. Moreover, if over time, in this mode of operation, the nose sealis worn away, the operator can shear the shear sleeve 318 and gain anentirely new method of operation of the tool by allowing port 342 toalign with port 334. Thus longevity of the tool is significant. Theshear out possibilities with this tool helps prevent the need forremoving the tool from its downhole position for an extended period oftime.

[0088] In the helical key choke mechanism embodiment of the invention,referring to FIGS. 28-36, a very similar drive mechanism is provided asthose described hereinabove, however the flow controlling features aredistinct. More specifically, the invention contains an upper key bodyand lower key body having helical grooves therein and being adapted toreceive removable keys which when extended into a helical groove, chokeflow through the tool. In the most preferred embodiment, the chokingposition of the tool moves keys from the upper section and lower sectiontoward one another and this action is created by a single moving sleeve.The sleeve moves downhole to close the helical flow areas and forces theupper keys downhole with it while it turns a spur gear at the downholeend which forces the lower keys uphole while the sleeve is movingdownhole.

[0089] Beginning with the downhole end of the tool, at FIG. 34, lowersub 400 is threadedly connected to the lower key body 420 and outerhousing 404. Outer housing 404 contains a plurality of lower ports 406which allow fluid to flow into lower flow area 408. The outer housingalso includes upper ports 410 which allow fluid to flow into upper flowarea 412. Flow areas 408 and 412 are communicatively connected to thehelical flow paths 416 and 418 illustrated in FIG. 35.

[0090] Radially inwardly of outer housing 404 are disposed lower keybody 420 and upper key body 422 which are visible both in section viewin FIGS. 30-32 and in plan view in FIG. 35. These key bodies provide thehelical flow paths to enable the choking action desired by the inventionby moving the lower keys 424 and upper keys 426. Preventing flow intoundesired areas are seals 428 which maintain position by seal retainer430. Upward movement of sleeve 432 opens flow through the helical flowpath 416 and 418 by moving keys 424 and 426 increasing the flow area atthe keys. Movement of sleeve 432 also moves ports 429 in alignment withports 431 in the upper key body 418. Fluid from the helical flow paths416 and 418 enter a plenum chamber 433 and commingle reducing theirkinetic energy. Fluid is then redirected through the ports 429 in sleeve432 into the tubing. Continuing to concentrate on FIGS. 30-33, innersleeve 432 extends through each of the identified drawings to actuateboth lower keys 424 and upper keys 426. A longitudinal movement of innersleeve 432 moves upper keys 426 through the urging on projection 434 ofinner sleeve 432. Projection 434 is received in slot 436 of inner sleeve432 to provide positive engagement thereof. Lower key 424 is likewisemoved by inner sleeve 432 but in a direction opposite that of upper keys426. The movement is proportional in magnitude but opposite indirection. The action described is created by providing spur teeth 438on the O.D. of inner sleeve 432 at the appropriate location to engagespur gear 440 which translates energy inputted by the inner sleeve 432to lower key 424 through rack teeth 442 on the I.D. of keys 424. Thehelix key choke mechanism embodiment of the invention is illustrated inthe drawings in the closed, fully choked position; as will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, from the lack of a gapat the location indicated as 446 for the upper keys and 448 for thelower keys. In drawing FIGS. 29 and 30 dog 450 is readily apparent whichis held in place by shear sleeve 452 which has been describedhereinabove and will not be described now. Dog 450 locks inner sleeve432 to drive sleeve 454 which is housed in connector housing 456. Drivesleeve 454 extends uphole into communication with drive screw 458 whichemploys thrust bearings 460 and bearing retainers 462 as discussedhereinabove. In the event of a failure of the motor actuation of thistool, shear sleeve 452 will be utilized as above described to releaseinner sleeve 432 from drive sleeve 454 whereafter profiles 470 at theuphole end of the tool and 472 at the lower end of the tool may beemployed via a conventional shifting tool to actuate the helix key chokemechanism of the invention.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 37-41, the spiral choke mechanism embodimentof the invention is illustrated the spiral choke mechanism includes ahousing having a longitudinal port and a rotatable spiral choke withinthe housing such that flow can be stopped or choked to a desired extent.The spiral choking insert includes a longitudinal port to allow flow tothe I.D. of the tubing.

[0092] Beginning from the downhole end of the tool, at FIG. 41 andmoving uphole (or backward in drawing figure numbers) lower sub 500extends uphole to mate with ported housing 502 which provides alongitudinal port illustrated in FIG. 39a said port being indicated as504. The ported housing extends uphole to terminate at motor housing530. Other features of ported housing 502 are seals 506 which aredisposed on uphole and downhole ends of the flow choking section ofinner sleeve 512. Ported housing 502 further includes snap ringreceiving groove 508 which will be employed only if the drive mechanismsof the tool fails. This will be discussed hereunder. Radially inwardlyof ported housing 502 is inner sleeve 512 as mentioned above. Initially512 is best viewed in the cross section view of FIG. 39a which providesan understanding to one of skill in the art of the gradually increasingflow area between ported housing 502 and inner sleeve 512. As one ofskill in the art will understand, as sleeve 512 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction flow though port 504 is increased. When thechoke sleeve 512 is in the closed position, seals 514 are positioned oneither side of port 504 and prevent any flow between the well annulusand the tubing. When the choke is open flow will be carried through flowarea 516 until the flow reaches port 518 and flows into the tubingitself.

[0093] Sleeve 512 is rotably actuated by motor 532 which drives uppersleeve 520 through ring gear profile 522 in order to create smooth powerflow. Thrust bearings 524 are located as indicated and are all retainedby thrust bearing retainer 526. The motor is surrounded as in previousembodiments by dielectric fluid occupying the space indicated as 528 andsealed from wellbore fluid by seal 534 which is held in place by snapring 536. Fluid compensators are also preferably employed. Motor housing530 provides power conduit 538 which connects to electronics area 540covered by electronics housing cover 542.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 38 the dog retainer 544, it will be understood,rotates easily due to reduced friction rotatably due to rust bearings524 while still maintaining the inner sleeve 512 in communication withthe motor drive.

[0095] In the event of a failure of the invention, provision is made forclosing off a choke mechanism but not for operating the choke mechanismsubsequent to shearing. Upon the occurrence of such a failure shearsleeve 546 is actuated as described in more detail with respect to theembodiments above. Subsequent to dog 548 disengaging from dog retainer544 the shifting tool (not shown) is employed upon shifting profile 550to force inner sleeve 512 downhole misaligning a spiral choking elementof that sleeve from the longitudinal port 504 to permanently close theflow control device. In order to ensure that the device will not selfopen, snap ring 552, upon moving of sleeve 512 downhole, will expandinto snap ring receiving groove 508 and will prevent relative movementof sleeve 512 and ported housing 502.

[0096] In a final embodiment of the invention, an orifice chokemechanism is disclosed. Referring to FIGS. 42-46, the orifice choke isillustrated in cross-section which embodiment provides a plurality oforifices constructed of an erosion resistant material and which can beexposed from the inside of the tubing by an inner sleeve. This tool asin the foregoing embodiments is preferably actuated by a downhole motordrive system including an electronics package having a processor andsensor capability. Referring directly to the drawings and the downholeend of the tool (FIG. 46) a lower sub 600 extends uphole to threadedlymate with orifice housing 602. It should be noted that lower sub 600provides stacked radial recesses on the I.D. thereof to receive elementsof the invention. The first recess allows seal cover 604 to slide alongthe I.D. of lower sub 600 while not restricting the overall I.D. of thetubing string. The second recess accepts spring 606 which biases sealcover 604 to the uphole position when inner sleeve 608 is moved upholeto expose any number of the plurality of orifices 610. The purpose ofseal cover 604 and spring 606 is to maintain uphole end 612 of sealcover 604 in contact with shifting profile 614 of inner sleeve 608 sothat when inner sleeve 608 moves uphole due to the impetus of either themotor drive system of the invention or the backup conventional shiftingtool system, the seal cover 604 will cover seal 616 and prevent flowcutting thereof. The operative area of the flow control device furtherincludes a screen 618 to protect the plurality of orifices during run inthe hole and to prevent debris from collecting at the orifices andreducing the flow thereof. As one of skill in the art will appreciateeach orifice is extended beyond flush with orifice housing 602 this isto provide room for erosion of the orifices without causing any damageto the device. It should also be noted that the orifices are squared offto provide a pressure drop therethrough thus enhancing the operabilityof the tool. The orifices themselves are most preferably constructed oftungsten carbide or other similar highly erosion resistant material toprovide for longevity of the tool.

[0097] Orifice housing 602 includes seals 616, noted above, and seal 620to provide effective seal of the device and stop flow should such actionbe determined necessary or desirable. It is, otherwise, noted thatnumeral 622 points out that there is a gap between the inner sleeve 608and the orifice housing 602 on the order of one to several thousandthsof an inch. This provides for a very small amount of flow from theuphole ports when only lower hole ports are exposed by uphole movementof the inner sleeve 608. Orifice housing 602 is threadedly connected tohousing connector 624 which is, in turn, connected to a gear housing anduphole components. Radially inwardly of housing connector 624, one ofskill in the art having been exposed to the foregoing embodiments willrecognize drive sleeve 626 which is locked to inner sleeve 608 throughthe inner media are of dog 628 the dog is held in place with a shearrelease sleeve which has been hereinbefore described and will not bedescribed at this point. Drive sleeve 626 extends upwardly to threadedlymesh with drive screw 630 in a manner hereinbefore described. Drivescrew 630 also includes thrust bearing 632 and bearing retainers 634which are outwardly bounded by gear housing 636. Screw 630 is driven bydrive shaft 638 and motor 640. The motor transmits power through a spurgear 642 supported by bearings 644 and a second gear 646 also supportedby bearings 644. Power is supplied to the motor and downhole controlexists in the same manner as previously described with the foregoingembodiments. In the event of a failure of the motor drive system of theinvention, the shear out sleeve 648 is actuated releasing dog 628 fromdrive sleeve 626 whereafter a conventional shifting tool is employed onshifting profile 650 or 614 to open or close the choke mechanismrespectively.

[0098] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described,various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it isto be understood that the present invention has been described by way ofillustration and not limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pressure controlled valve for controlling flowthrough a pipe, the valve comprising: a bladder positioned in the insideof the pipe, said bladder having an orifice for allowing flow throughthe pipe, wherein said orifice is closed by applying pressure to aninside area of said bladder.
 2. The pressure controlled valve of claim 1, wherein the orifice is located at the center of said bladder.
 3. Thepressure controlled valve of claim 1 , wherein said bladder is toroidalshaped.
 4. The pressure controlled valve of claim 1 , wherein saidbladder is made from an elastic material.
 5. The pressure controlledvalve of claim 1 , wherein said bladder is bonded to the pipe.
 6. Avalve assembly comprising: a) a housing having at least one axial fluidconduit and at least one valve body receptacle, said receptacle havingan inlet aperture communicating between said receptacle and an exteriorenvironment and an outlet aperture communicating between said receptacleand said axial fluid conduit; b) a valve body substantially disposedwithin said receptacle; c) at least one actuator operably connected tosaid valve body whereby said body is moveable and facilitatescommunication between said inlet aperture and said outlet aperture suchthat fluid movement between said exterior environment and said axialfluid conduit is enabled and controlled.
 7. A valve assembly as claimedin claim 6 wherein said valve body is a cylinder having a transversehole therethrough which hole is selectively variably with said inlet andoutlet apertures.
 8. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein saidvalve body is a cone or frustocone and said receptacle is ofcomplimentary shape such that axial movement of said valve bodyregulates fluid through said receptacle.
 9. A valve assembly as claimedin claim 8 wherein said cone or frustocone further includes a seal nose.10. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein alignability of saidvalve body is by rotation.
 11. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 8wherein alignability of rod valve body is by axial movement.
 12. A valveassembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said at least one actuator isselected from the group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulicactuator and a pneumatic actuator.
 13. A valve assembly as claimed inclaim 12 wherein said actuator is computer controlled by a downholeelectronics system.
 14. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 13 whereinsaid downhole electronics system is a downhole processor.
 15. A valveassembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said system further includes atleast one sensor.
 16. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 15 whereinsaid at least one sensor is a plurality of sensors.
 17. A valve assemblyas claimed in claim 16 wherein said sensors are selected from the groupconsisting of position sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors,depth sensors, flow sensors and water cut sensors.
 18. A valve assemblyas claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one receptacle is aplurality of receptacles having a plurality of valve bodies therein, allof said valve bodies being actuatable together.
 19. A valve assembly asclaimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one receptacle is a pluralityof receptacles having a plurality of valve bodies therein, all of saidvalve bodies being actuatable individually.
 20. A valve assembly asclaimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one receptacle is a pluralityof receptacles having a plurality of valve bodies therein, all of saidvalve bodies being actuatable in selected groups.
 21. A valve assemblyas claimed in claim 20 wherein said receptacles are arrangedcircumferentially about the housing
 22. A valve assembly as claimed inclaim 20 wherein said receptacles are arranged at different positions onsaid housing.
 23. A downhole choke mechanism comprising: a) a portedhousing having at least one housing port, said housing having an insidediameter and an outside diameter; b) an inner sleeve slideable along theinside diameter of said ported housing; c) a choke sleeve slidable alongthe outside diameter of said ported housing, said inner sleeve and saidouter sleeve being fixed to one another; d) a drive system capable ofvariably moving said choke mechanism whereby flow of fluid through saidat least one port is variably controlled.
 24. A downhole choke mechanismas claimed in claim 23 wherein said inner sleeve further includes atleast one sleeve port selectively and variably alienable with said atleast one housing port.
 25. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 24 wherein said drive system includes a motor drive and a geartrain.
 26. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 25 whereinsaid motor drive is selected from the group consisting of electric,hydraulic and pneumatic.
 27. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 25 wherein said gear train includes at least one spur/helicalscrew thread sleeve.
 28. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim24 wherein said choke sleeve is longer than said inner sleeve to promotechoking of fluid flow and to provide protection for said at least onesleeve port.
 29. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 28wherein said choke sleeve employs a hard material to reduce erosionthereof.
 30. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 29 whereinsaid hard material is tungsten carbide.
 31. A downhole choke mechanismas claimed in claim 23 wherein said mechanism includes a downholecomputer control system.
 32. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 31 wherein said computer control system includes a downholeprocessor and at least one sensor.
 33. A downhole choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 32 wherein said at least one sensor is a plurality ofsensors.
 34. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 33 whereinsaid at least one sensor is a position sensor.
 35. A downhole chokemechanism as claimed in claim 34 wherein said position sensor isselected from the group consisting of linear potentiometers, LVDTsensors, resolvers and synchros.
 36. A downhole choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 32 wherein said plurality of sensors includes pressuresensors, flow sensors, temperature sensors, position sensors and watercut sensors.
 37. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 23wherein said mechanism further includes a shear out assembly to releasesaid drive system from said sleeves whereby said sleeves are manuallyoperable.
 38. A choke mechanism comprising: a) a ported housing havingan I.D. and an O.D., said housing having at least one housing port; b) achoke sleeve disposed against the O.D. of said ported housing; c) aninner sleeve disposed against the I.D. of said ported housing, saidinner sleeve being moveable independently of said outer sleeve; d) adrive system including two gear trains, a first connected at a first endto at least one driver and at a second end to an inner sleeve and asecond gear train connected at a first end to said at least one driverand at a second end to the choke sleeve.
 39. a) a ported housing havingan I.D. and an O.D., said housing having at least one housing port; b) achoke sleeve disposed against the O.D. of said ported housing; c) aninner sleeve disposed against the I.D. of said ported housing, saidinner sleeve being moveable independently of said outer sleeve; d) adrive system including two gear trains, a first connected at a first endto at least one driver and at a second end to an inner sleeve and asecond gear train connected at a first end to a second driver and at asecond end to the choke sleeve.
 40. A choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 38 wherein said drive system further includes a solenoidclutchable between said two gear trains to connect one or the other tosaid at least one driver.
 41. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 38wherein said inner sleeve further includes at least one sleeve portselectively and variably alienable with said at least one housing port.42. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 38 wherein said motor drive isselected from the group consisting of electric, hydraulic and pneumatic.43. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 38 wherein said gear trainincludes at least one spur/helical screw thread sleeve.
 44. A chokemechanism as claimed in claim 38 wherein said choke sleeve employs ahard material to reduce erosion thereof.
 45. A choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 44 wherein said hard material is tungsten carbide. 46.A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 38 wherein said mechanism includesa downhole computer control system.
 47. A choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 46 wherein said computer control system includes a downholeprocessor and at least one sensor.
 48. A choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 47 wherein said at least one sensor is a plurality of sensors. 49.A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 47 wherein said at least onesensor is a position sensor.
 50. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim49 wherein said position sensor is selected from the group consisting oflinear potentiometers, LVDT sensors, resolvers and synchros.
 51. A chokemechanism as claimed in claim 47 wherein said mechanism further includesa shear out assembly to release said drive system from said sleeveswhereby said sleeves are manually operable.
 52. A choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 38 wherein said mechanism further includes a shear outassembly to release said drive system from said sleeves whereby saidsleeves are manually operable.
 53. A downhole choke mechanismcomprising: a) a cylindrical ported housing having at least one port; b)a cylindrical downstop disposed radially inwardly and adjacent saidported housing, said downstop including an annular milled portion thattogether with said ported housing creates a longitudinal recess; c) asleeve disposed radially inwardly and adjacent said ported housing andlongitudinally aligned with said downstop, said sleeve further includinga seal nose sized to be sealingly accepted in said annular longitudinalrecess said sleeve being longitudinally moveable to selectively andvariably position said seal nose whereby flow through said at least oneport is controllable.
 54. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim53 wherein said sleeve is moved by a motor and gear train.
 55. Adownhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 54 wherein said motor isselected from the group consisting of electric, hydraulic and pneumatic.56. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 53 wherein saidmechanism is responsive to commands received from a downhole processorresiding within the mechanism.
 57. A downhole choke mechanism as claimedin claim 56 wherein said processor resides within said mechanism.
 58. Adownhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 54 wherein said sleevefurther includes a shear out assembly to release said sleeve from saidgear train whereby said sleeve is operable manually.
 59. A downholechoke mechanism as claimed in claim 58 wherein said sleeve furtherincludes at least one sleeve port and said downstop is prevented fromrelative movement with respect to said housing by a support sleeve saidsupport sleeve being releasable from said housing by a support shear outassembly wherein actuation of said shear out assembly allows alignmentof said at least one sleeve port with said at least one housing port.60. A downhole choke mechanism comprising: a) a cylindrical innerhousing having at least one helical groove pattern cut on an O.D.thereof said housing being; a) a cylindrical outer housing protectingsaid inner housing and having at least one port therein; b) at least onekey received in at least one key slot and moveable into said groove tochoke flow of a fluid moving in said groove.
 61. A downhole chokemechanism as claimed in claim 44 wherein said at least one groove isfour grooves and said at least one key is four keys.
 62. A downholechoke mechanism as claimed in claim 61 wherein said keys are moveable bya radially inwardly located sleeve.
 63. A downhole choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 62 wherein said four keys comprise two upper keys andtwo lower keys and wherein said four grooves comprise two upper groovesand the two lower grooves, said upper keys providing a choking action onsaid upper grooves and said lower keys providing a choking action onsaid lower grooves when said four keys are shifted toward one another.64. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 61 wherein said upperkeys are connected to said sleeve and said lower keys are connected to aspur gear which is connected to said sleeve whereby movement of thesleeve in a direction to move the upper keys in the same direction asthe movement of the sleeve causes movement of the lower keys in anopposite direction in an amount equal in magnitude to the movement ofthe sleeve.
 65. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 64wherein said body member is enclosed within an outer sleeve having apredetermined number of ports at preselected locations to communicatewith said grooves.
 66. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 65wherein said inwardly located sleeve further includes a port to passfluid from said grooves to an interior of a tubing string to which thechoke mechanism is attached.
 67. A downhole choke mechanism as claimedin claim 62 wherein said mechanism further includes an actuation systemattached to said inwardly located sleeve.
 68. A downhole choke mechanismas claimed in claim 67 wherein said actuation system includes a motordrive and a gear train.
 69. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed inclaim 68 wherein said motor drive is selected from the group consistingof electric hydraulic and pneumatic.
 70. A downhole choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 67 wherein said mechanism is controlled by a downholecomputer system.
 71. A downhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 70wherein said system includes a processor and at least one sensor.
 72. Adownhole choke mechanism as claimed in claim 71 wherein said at leastone sensor is a position sensors.
 73. A downhole choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 67 wherein said mechanism further includes a shear outassembly whereby said inwardly located sleeve is detachable from saidactuation system for manual actuation.
 74. A downhole choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 71 wherein said at least one sensor is a plurality ofsensors selected from linear potentiometers, LVDT sensors, resolvers andsynchros.
 75. A choke mechanism comprising: a) a housing having at leastone port; b) a decreasing radius inner sleeve, said sleeve beingdisposed radially inwardly of said housing and said decreasing radius inconjunction with said housing defining an increasing dimension flowpath, said inner sleeve further including a port to communicate saidflow path with an axial flow conduit; c) a drive system associated withsaid inner sleeve capable of rotating said sleeve to align a desiredsection of said increasing dimension flow path with said at least oneport of said housing.
 76. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 75wherein said inner sleeve further includes an area where said flow pathis excluded whereby flow from said at least one port in said housing isprevented.
 77. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 76 wherein saidmechanism includes a shear out system enabling the detachment of saidinner sleeve from said drive systems whereby said inner sleeve isdisplaceable to misalign said sleeve with said at least one port in saidhousing thereby terminating flow through said flow control device.
 78. Achoke mechanism as claimed in claim 75 wherein said mechanism iscontrolled by a downhole controller system.
 79. A choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 78 wherein said system includes a downhole processorand at least one sensor.
 80. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 79wherein said at least one sensor is at least plurality of sensors.
 81. Achoke mechanism as claimed in claim 79 wherein said at least one sensoris selected from the group consisting of linear potentiometer, LVDT,resolver and synchro.
 82. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 80wherein said plurality of sensors include pressure sensors, flowsensors, temperature sensors, position sensors and water cut sensors.83. A choke mechanism comprising: a) a housing having a plurality oforifices therein; b) an inner sleeve disposed radially inwardly of saidorifices and adjacent said housing; c) a drive system capable of axiallymoving said inner sleeve to selectively conceal and reveal a selectednumber of said orifices.
 84. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 83wherein said mechanism is computer controlled by a downhole processorsystem.
 85. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 84 wherein saidprocessor system includes a downhole processor and at least one sensor.86. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 85 wherein said sensor is aposition sensor.
 87. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 86 whereinsaid position sensor is selected from the group consisting of linearpotentiometers, LVDT'S, resolvers and synchros.
 88. A choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 83 wherein said mechanism includes a shear out systemwhereby said drive system is disengageable from said inner sleevethereby rendering said inner sleeve manually actuatable.
 89. A chokemechanism as claimed in claim 83 wherein said orifices are coated withan erosion resistant material.
 90. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim89 wherein said material is tungsten carbide.
 91. A choke mechanism asclaimed in claim 83 wherein said orifices are composed of an erosionresistant material.
 92. A choke mechanism as claimed in claim 91 whereinsaid material is tungsten carbide.
 93. A computer controlled flowcontrol device comprising: a) a downhole electronics package; b) anactuator operably connected to said electronics package and responsivethereto; and c) a flow control assembly actuatable by said actuator. 94.A computer controlled flow control device as claimed in claim 93 whereinsaid device further comprises a shear out assembly allowing for manualoperation of the device.
 95. A computer controlled flow control deviceas claimed in claim 94 wherein said shear out device comprises a shearsleeve adapted to maintain at least one dog in a position to provide aconnection with two other sleeves, said shear sleeve being maintained ina preselected position by at least one shearable screw, said shearsleeve allowing said at least one dog to terminate engagement of saidother two sleeves thereby disconnecting the flow control assembly fromthe actuator in order to enable mechanical actuation of the assembly.96. A computer controlled flow control device as claimed in claim 93wherein said downhole electronics package includes a downhole processorand at least one sensor.
 97. A computer controlled flow control deviceas claimed in claim 96 wherein said at least one sensor is a pluralityof sensors.
 98. A computer controlled flow control device as claimed inclaim 97 wherein said electronics package controls said device accordingto one of surface instruction, preprogrammed instruction and sensoryinput.
 99. A mechanism as in any one of claims 23, 38, 39, 53, 60, 75,83 and 95 wherein said mechanism further includes a fluid pressurecompensator.
 100. A mechanism as claimed in claim 99 wherein saidcompensator is a piston moveable in a cylinder disposed in saidmechanism such that one end of said cylinder is exposed to wellborefluid and a second end of said cylinder is exposed to a mechanismprotective fluid.
 101. A mechanism as claimed in claim 100 wherein saidmechanism protective fluid is dielectric fluid.
 102. A mechanism asclaimed in claim 99 wherein said compensator is a metal bellows disposedwithin a cylinder disposed in said mechanism such that one end of saidcylinder is exposed to wellbore fluid and a second end of said cylinderis exposed to a mechanism protective fluid.
 103. A mechanism as claimedin claim 102 wherein said mechanism protective fluid is dielectricfluid.